20 Essential Books on the Mysterious Power of Ayahuasca

“Through use of this ‘vine of the soul’ the paye (shaman) believes he can diagnose and treat illnesses…he is thought to regulate birth and death; …hunting and fishing; the weather; travel on the rivers and [bodiless] trips through the fo­rests…” — Richard Evans Schultes

Despite the recent surge in mainstream popularity of the vine (due primarily to celebrity culture, Elle, Oprah, and National Geographic) the subtle occult, paranormal, and metaphysical aspects of ayahuasca—for those who have dedicated their entire life to understanding and working with it—are still very much in need of further exploration.

Sensationalist coverage such as Lindsey Lohan’s recent “illegal vomit” stint also tends to gloss over the incidents of death and rape that have occurred by dark shamans taking advantage of unprepared Westerners with fat wallets. [1] There has been many eye witness accounts given by experienced anthropologists on the dangers of brujeria, or death by invisible darts conjured by brujos in the Amazon and other global indigenous cultures. [2]

Below are books in order of publication that contribute to a considerably more complex and multifaceted view of the sacred medicine.

Read full article